Opposition Members Push for Shyne Barrow’s Ouster as UDP Leader

The purported attempt by members of the opposition to oust United Democratic Party Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow heated up today. This morning, former leader, Patrick Faber, publicly called for the party leader’s removal. Since the UDP’s defeat in Toledo East, there have been increasing calls for Barrow to make way for new leadership. Several UDP members, including Faber, Mayor Earl Trapp, and John Saldivar, have expressed their support for Panton’s leadership via an online campaign dubbed “I’m with Her”. Today, Faber doubled down and posted to Facebook QOUTE “I do not support dictatorship and censorship! If I’m unable to say how I feel in the party’s internal structures, I’ll say it here loud and clear! I don’t support the dictator leader of the UDP, and he must go!” UNQUOTE. We note that while several of the party’s members have begun to swing at Shyne, several others have started their own campaign in support of Barrow’s leadership. We understand that a National Party Council meeting is set for August 3, where attempts to impeach him may be launched. Last week, Barrow responded to the early rumors and stated he wasn’t concerned about the upcoming NPC meeting.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “We are rebuilding so I would never tell you that I am Dean Barrow. I will never tell you that I am Manuel Esquivel. I could never tell you that. We are rebuilding. We are in our second leader in three and a half years and we are rebuilding. We have to convince the people. We as a collective. There is no one more suited to lead this party than me at this time. So we as a party are going to move forward, we’re going to assess everything and we’re going to make decisions but that’s as a party to try to take it and put it on one person is not fair but collectively we will sit in this room. I hope this time they don’t boycott, the same ones that boycotted the last time I hope they show up and let us as a party resolve things rather that continuing to call and text.”

Reporter: People are concerned that your inter party opponents may be organizing, I keep hearing that they’re signing a petition, that they’re organizing to impeach you. 
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “Without saying any names there are people that lose sleep every night thinking about how they can overthrow me but I have no concern about those people. I know that the majority of my colleagues support me and I will continue doing the work to support my colleagues.”

In March, at an NPC meeting to dissect the party’s defeat in the Municipal Elections, a group of UDP members, including John Saldivar and Patrick Faber, boycotted the meeting.